Antigua and Barbuda on Friday became the first Caribbean country to ratify the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance.

The Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the Organization of American States (OAS), Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders, signed the ratification.

The convention was adopted on Jun. 5, 2013, the OAS said.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro congratulated the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for this step and underscored the “stellar role” the country had in the negotiation of the convention, which took more than 13 years.

“We hope this convention is able to contribute to strengthening more diverse and equitable societies, free of racism, discrimination and intolerance, providing increasing recognition and protection to all human beings,” Almagro said.

Sanders said he would have liked his country to be the first to ratify the convention, “given the leading role played in the efforts to create the convention.

“We are still very pleased to be the first Caribbean country to do so, and we expect all other countries to now become signatories,” said Sir Ronald at the signing ceremony. “We thank you for your support to help make this effort a reality.”

The OAS said the convention, entered into force on Nov. 11, 2017, has been signed by 12 states: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay.

Antigua and Barbuda on Friday joined Costa Rica and Uruguay in ratifying the convention.